Down, not out ... Justin Hodges will make is this week set to return from a torn Achilles he sustained in round 22 last year.

AAP: Robb Cox, file photo

Strike centre Justin Hodges will make a shock return from a torn Achilles for the Brisbane Broncos in their round-five NRL clash against Parramatta on Friday.

Ahead of the Broncos' round-one match against Canterbury last month, coach Anthony Griffin said Hodges was unlikely to return from a snapped left Achilles suffered in August last year until round 10 this season.

However, Hodges will take his place in the side for the Lang Park clash in a huge boost to the Broncos, who have enjoyed an impressive 3-1 start to the season.

Hodges will slot straight into the starting XIII against the Eels with Dale Copley moving out to the wing.

Lachlan Maranta is the player to make way, dropping back to an extended six-man bench.

Hodge's return is also good news for the Maroons as they seek their ninth successive State of Origin title with the opening interstate game in Brisbane on May 28.

Queensland Origin coach Mal Meninga said on the Gold Coast on Monday Hodges had two games to make his return if he wanted to be considered for game one.

Full-back Josh Dugan will be another high-profile return when he is named in the St George-Illawarra side to face struggling South Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night.

Dugan has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in the Dragons big comprehensive Charity Shield loss to the Rabbitohs.

The Dragons have also begun the season well with a 3-1 start.

"To be honest, I am a little bit nervous about coming into a team that has gelled so well, after that tough loss against Souths in the Charity Shield," Dugan said on Tuesday.

"I have been in rehab going on six weeks now, I started running about two weeks ago, I was about a few days off playing last week.

"So now I am fit and ready to go."

Warriors recall Hurrel for Sharks encounter

Explosive centre Konrad Hurrell is back in the Warriors' starting line-up for the first time this year for Saturday's fixture with Cronulla at Shark Park.

Hurrell replaces the injured Jerome Ropati and is the only change to the run-on team from last Saturday's 42-18 win over Wests Tigers in Wellington.

The luckless Ropati is set for another lengthy stint on the sideline after breaking his jaw just 12 minutes into Saturday's match.

Ropati underwent surgery in Wellington and his return is tipped to be anywhere between six and 12 weeks.

Sione Lousi has again been named in the back row, despite being charged with a grade two dangerous throw offence for a tackle he made on Wests Tigers back rower Cory Paterson.

The Warriors have entered a guilty plea, but have disputed the grading. Lousi's case will be heard in Sydney on Thursday.

If the appeal to have the grading reduced is unsuccessful, Sebastine Ikahihifo is set for his first NRL outing of the year.

He has been named on a six-man bench which also includes back rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner, who has been a regular team-mate with Ikahihifo in the club's NSW Cup side this season.

Back rower Feleti Mateo, ruled out of the last match with a knee injury, also returns to an extended bench.